Mourinho: Clarke is 'an incredible coach'

Jose Mourinho has added his own words of praise to the tributes piling in for West Bromwich Albion's manager Steve Clarke, labelling him "an incredible coach".

Clarke has made an immediate impression in his first job as a number one, with the Baggies making their best ever start to a Premier League campaign.

With ten points from five matches, thanks largely to a 100% home record, they are fourth in the table, as well as safely into the Capital One Cup third round, where they face Clarke's previous club Liverpool on Wednesday.

Mourinho is fully aware of Clarke's capabilities after working with him for three seasons at Chelsea so does not find his recent success unexpected.

"He is doing amazing but I'm not surprised," Mourinho said on Sky Sports News. "I'm the last person to be surprised because I felt he was ready for this a long time ago.

"He is very mature and is a very strong personality. He can be a strong leader but at the same time he can establish a good relationship with the players.

"West Bromwich is a club with an incredible history and tradition but it isn't a club to be in the top places of the Premier League, so we can't expect Steve to finish in the Champions League. But he is an incredible coach."